Roll Over Beethoven
Chuck Berry & Bo Diddley Lyrics


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I'm gonna write a little letter,
Gonna mail it to my local DJ
It's a rockin' rhythm record
I want my jockey to play
Roll over Beethoven, I gotta hear it again today

You know, my temperature's risin'
And the jukebox blows a fuse
My heart's beatin' rhythm
And my soul keeps on singin' the blues
Roll over Beethoven and tell Tchaikovsky the news

I got the rockin' pneumonia,
I need a shot of rhythm and blues
I think I'm rollin' arthritis
Sittin' down by the rhythm review
Roll over Beethoven rockin' in two by two

Well, if you feel you like it
Go get your lover, then reel and rock it
Roll it over and move on up just
A trifle further and reel and rock it,
Roll it over,
Roll over Beethoven rockin' in two by two

Well, early in the mornin' I'm a-givin' you a warnin'
Don't you step on my blue suede shoes
Hey diddle diddle, I am playin' my fiddle,
Ain't got nothin' to lose
Roll over Beethoven and tell Tchaikovsky the news

You know she wiggles like a glow worm,
Dance like a spinnin' top
She got a crazy partner,
Oughta see 'em reel and rock
Long as she got a dime the music will never stop

Roll over Beethoven,
Roll over Beethoven,
Roll over Beethoven,




Roll over Beethoven,
Roll over Beethoven and dig these rhythm and blues

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Chuck Berry & Bo Diddley's song Roll Over Beethoven describe the singer's intense desire to listen to a rock and roll song that has grabbed his attention. He plans to write a letter to his local DJ requesting that he play the record. The energetic rhythm of the music has made his temperature rise and has caused the jukebox to blow a fuse. The singer's heart beats in time with the rhythm, and his soul is filled with the blues. The repeated refrain of "Roll over Beethoven" is a call to action, urging the DJ to play the music again so that the singer can get his fill of rock and roll.


The lyrics also include references to other composers, such as Tchaikovsky, to whom the singer suggests he should pass the news of the new rock and roll hit. The mention of "rockin' pneumonia" and "rollin' arthritis" suggest that the singer is not a young man anymore but still loves the energy of the music. He warns others not to step on his "blue suede shoes," a nod to Elvis Presley, and encourages people to dance and have fun, promising that as long as his partner has a dime, the music will never stop.


Overall, the lyrics to Roll Over Beethoven are a lively tribute to the power of rock and roll music and the joy it brings to its fans. The song celebrates the energetic beat and the rebellious spirit of the genre while acknowledging the roots of classical music that paved the way for this new sound.


Line by Line Meaning

I'm gonna write a little letter,
I'm planning to pen a short note


Gonna mail it to my local DJ
I will send it off to my hometown disc jockey


It's a rockin' rhythm record
It's an exciting song with a great beat


I want my jockey to play
I want the DJ to spin it for the listeners


Roll over Beethoven, I gotta hear it again today
I can't get enough of the tune, so crank it up again


You know, my temperature's risin'
My blood is boiling with excitement


And the jukebox blows a fuse
The music is so electrifying that the machine can't handle it


My heart's beatin' rhythm
My pulse is keeping time with the music


And my soul keeps on singin' the blues
My spirit is inspired by the melody


Roll over Beethoven and tell Tchaikovsky the news
Spread the word that rock and roll is the new sensation


I got the rockin' pneumonia,
I'm infected with the fever for rock music


I need a shot of rhythm and blues
I require a dose of beat-driven soul music


I think I'm rollin' arthritis
My body is aching from dancing so hard


Sittin' down by the rhythm review
I'm taking a break to enjoy the music


Roll over Beethoven rockin' in two by two
The rhythm is so infectious that everyone's dancing in pairs


Well, if you feel you like it
If you're enjoying yourself


Go get your lover, then reel and rock it
Get your significant other and dance up a storm


Roll it over and move on up just
Continue the party and keep dancing


A trifle further and reel and rock it,
Take it a bit farther and dance even more intensely


Roll it over,
Keep the music going


Roll over Beethoven rockin' in two by two
Everybody's grooving in pairs


Well, early in the mornin' I'm a-givin' you a warnin'
Don't mess with me, especially first thing in the morning


Don't you step on my blue suede shoes
Don't ruin my fancy footwear


Hey diddle diddle, I am playin' my fiddle,
I'm having a great time making music


Ain't got nothin' to lose
I'm not worried about anything


Roll over Beethoven and tell Tchaikovsky the news
Rock and roll is here to stay, share the message with classical music fans


You know she wiggles like a glow worm,
Her moves on the dance floor are mesmerizing


Dance like a spinnin' top
She dances with an endless amount of energy


She got a crazy partner,
Her dance partner is wild and unpredictable


Oughta see 'em reel and rock
Their moves are amazing, you gotta witness it


Long as she got a dime the music will never stop
As long as she has a coin to pay for music, they'll keep dancing


Roll over Beethoven,
Make way for rock music


Roll over Beethoven,
Movement in music is happening


Roll over Beethoven,
There's a new king in town


Roll over Beethoven,
The classical era has ended


Roll over Beethoven and dig these rhythm and blues
Embrace this new style of music and enjoy it




Lyrics © ENTERTAINMENT ONE U.S. LP
Written by: Chuck Berry

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@kemewastia

Chuck Berry is fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

@charly9927

absolute legend, the true king of rock and roll!!!

@allaboard70

This music really comes from the heart and from the blood. You can never tell people to rock, they just rock!

@vanguard4065

and they ROLL!!

@serpentinecreature

Good times,fantastic music! Forever Chuck! Thank you for sharing this roosboom.

@daviceschin8056

Chuck Berry he is amazing

@allaboard70

Outstanding performance! Enough said :) Thank's Niels.

@mircovannucchi6600

The king of the groove ! RIP. MV

@ElectricGypsy95

Look at the grins on the other guitarist and the bassist, this is when rock n' roll was fun!

@bonkeydollocks1879

The bass idolised chuck, it was his dream to play with chuck. The bassist too has checked out unfortunately.

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